The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence of Zahir Jaffer for the brutal murder of Noor Mukadam, while altering some of the other charges in its final verdict on the widely followed case.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Hashim Kakar and comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, dismissed Jaffer’s appeal against his conviction under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, confirming both his capital punishment and monetary penalty.
The court, however, converted Jaffer’s death sentence under Section 376 (rape) into life imprisonment and annulled his conviction for kidnapping, declaring that sentence void.
The ruling also provided relief to co-accused household staff: the watchman and gardener had their sentences reduced, with the court noting that their time already served was sufficient.
The case gained national attention after Noor, 27, was found murdered at a residence in Islamabad on July 20, 2021. Zahir Jaffer was arrested at the scene, and an FIR was lodged by Noor’s father, former diplomat Shaukat Mukadam. The FIR stated that Noor had been killed with a sharp object and then beheaded.
In February 2022, Jaffer was sentenced to death by a sessions court, along with 25 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine. His domestic staff were also sentenced to 10 years, while his parents and other co-accused from TherapyWorks were acquitted.
The Islamabad High Court in 2023 upheld the death sentence and converted the 25-year jail term into a second death penalty. The Supreme Court took up the case in April of the same year following an appeal.
During today's hearing, Jaffer’s lawyer questioned the credibility of CCTV footage used as evidence. However, the bench dismissed these objections, affirming the footage was verified and untampered. The judges also scrutinised the role of the staff, noting that their actions may have prevented the victim from escaping.
The verdict marks a significant step in a case that reignited debates around women’s safety and the justice system in Pakistan.
